Reconsider Internet spy law: RCMP

[Leafless]

"The RCMP has urged the Harper government to reintroduce a controversial bill that would force Internet service providers to turn over personal information on subscribers, arguing the lack of such legislation has already had "serious consequences" on investigations, newly released documents show."

" At present, authorities must seek a court warrant before asking service providers to provide personal information. But under the lawful access bill, they would not have to seek judicial approval."

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/s...87-97c613b70c11

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Dion and the Liberals would also implement this law: "re-introduce, as the Official Opposition, the Modernization of Investigative Techniques Act - a Liberal bill that would have assisted in the fight against organized crime. This bill will allow the police and CSIS adapt to new communications technology. Telephone and Internet service providers will be required, subject to vigorous privacy safeguards, to include an interception capability in new technology, and make subscriber contact information available on request to designated law enforcement officials"

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_8753.aspx

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Could this mean the end to free speech:

"The sweeping surveillance bill introduced in Parliament November 15,2005 called The Modernization of Investigative Techniques Act is a gross violation of Canadian civil liberties, of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and of our Constitutional entitlements. It must not be tolerated . Every politician who supports it is an enemy of Canada, our people, and our freedom. Every Canadian who cares about his/ her liberty must take a stand now. It is truly a question of liberty vs a police state. This Act is an attack on not only freedom of speech, but freedom of thought. It is Orwell's 1984 coming to fruition."

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?con...&articleId=1271

Police state is becoming a very common word these days.

[geoffrey]

No reason why the police can't get a warrant if the investigation is legit. I don't see why the police should have such enourmous power, let the judge decide if the invasion of privacy is warranted.

[GostHacked]

Sounds a lot like what is going on in the US. Canada is paralleling it for sure, but at a slower pace it seems. Free speech will never die. For I say so. My voice counts .

No reason why the police can't get a warrant if the investigation is legit. I don't see why the police should have such enourmous power, let the judge decide if the invasion of privacy is warranted.

I as well do not like all the power in a CSIS or RCMP or even a local police officer. That much power in someones hands is likely to be abused. I bet they have abused it more than we knowas it is.

I have been using the Internet for about 13 years now. I have seen the progression of the technology and the flaws and the crimes that have come about because of it. Recall the incident in the US with AT&T about the secret CIA server rooms at several locations in the US? This was all done before the US wiretapping fiasco. So I will say it will happen to a Canadian ISP. Bell would be the obvious choice to have this intercepting technology. Anything that passes through a Bell connection (web, voice, landline, cell) can be monitored, intercepted, decoded, ect ect... to get the info on you.

Even as it is, much of your Internet traffic is already being monitored. Just we don't know about it. Taking away checks and balances never results in more security for the population.

[Leafless]

No reason why the police can't get a warrant if the investigation is legit. I don't see why the police should have such enourmous power, let the judge decide if the invasion of privacy is warranted.

According to Anne McLellan in 2005 said: "However, McLellan said that just like in the old wiretap days, police investigators will have to get the approval of a judge before they can have access."

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2005/11/15/...ance051114.html

But the latest Citizen article contradicts that claim: "" At present, authorities must seek a court warrant before asking service providers to provide personal information. But under the lawful access bill, they would not have to seek judicial approval."

[Leafless]

I as well do not like all the power in a CSIS or RCMP or even a local police officer. That much power in someones hands is likely to be abused. I bet they have abused it more than we knowas it is.

I agree, but at present cannot do much without the IP releasing personal information and the passage of this bill.

But where will all this stop if this controversial bill is approved.

Does this mean for instance the RCMP will have the legal capabilities, if they wish to do so, to write up a file, enforcing Charter rights by their own definition of wrong doing relating to what they consider is exceeding the limit of free speech?

This is only a single example as their are many others relating to an infringement of personal existing rights.